Regional News of Saturday, 7 January 2012

Source: Daily Guide

Gomoa Ankamu Chief Replies Critics

THE CHIEF of Gomoa Ankamu in the Central region, who doubles as the Ankobeahen of the Gomoa Ajumako traditional area has dismissed claims from the traditional authority that he has resigned as the Ankobeahen.

Reacting to an earlier publication that he had resigned as Ankobeahen, Nana Ankamu Otabir IX, who spoke through Kofi Nyame from the Ankamu palace, admitted he tendered in his resignation citing the lack of respect accorded him by the traditional authority; he later rescinded his decision and was accepted back.

According to Kofi Nyame, Nana Otabir IX performed all the necessary rites before being accepted back as Ankobeahen, and was at a loss as to why certain elements within the Gomoa Ajumako traditional area would embark on what he called ‘smear campaign’ to denigrate him.

He debunked claims that Nana Otabir and his accomplices went to steal the royal black stool from the stool house in Apam.

Information reaching DAILY GUIDE indicates that Nana Ankamu Otabir IX has resigned as Chief of Ankamu and Ankobeahemaa of the Gomoa Ajumako traditional area.

Earlier reports, citing a source close to the Gomoa Ajumako Traditional Council, had said Nana Otabir and his people went to the ancestral house of Gomoa Ankamu Anona Yoko royal family house and took away three black stools kept in the royal house by their ancestors.

However, Kofi Nyame said “we never stole the stool. We were there to bring the stool back to Ankamu where it is supposed to be.”

“We performed the necessary rites before lifting it to Ankamu. We did it in the full glare of the people and did not go there surreptitiously as it is being bandied about. We are being accused falsely,” he said.

Kofi Nyame further said that “if indeed we stole the stool why would they not lodge a complaint with the police so that we can be called for questioning.”

“We were aware that the Omanhen was going to lift the black stool from Apam which could have signified the distoolment of Ankamuhen, and we outsmarted them by going to keep it safe.”

Yaw Ogyam, Omankyeame of Gomoa Ankamu who accompanied Kofi Nyame added “I can say on authority that Nana Ankamu Otabir IX has not been distooled because no customary rites have been performed to signify that he has been distooled.”

By William Yaw Owusu